DualShock 4 Light Bar Cannot Be Deactivated

For many players, the DualShock 4's motion control-friendly LED beacon will be little more than a minor distraction since the PlayStation Camera is an optional PS4 extra. However, you'd better get used to it, because you won't be able to optionally turn it off.

"Can I turn off the lightbar on the DS4 so the battery lasts longer?," asked an inquisitive fan on Twitter, to which Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida simply replied,"no." So there.

Since the DualShock 4's light bar uses LEDs, its battery drain will likely be extremely minimal, though many fans are worried that it will annoyingly reflect on their televisions while playing or ruin the atmosphere in horror games.

With the PlayStation Camera plugged in, the DualShock 4 will be able to offer players fully three-dimensional motion control with pinpoint accuracy, while also granting us access to buttons, haptic feedback and rumble - potentially leading to all manner of interesting innovations. Without the optional camera, however, the light bar's major use will be to blink to indicate damage or change colour to fit the situation. We reckon that it could well be used in some fun cosmetic flourishes, but we assume that developers may be able to deactivate the beacon if it doesn't fit the tone of the game.